What are the Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency?

Severe Vitamin D deficiency

Severe Vitamin D deficiency manifests as an immediate health problem. An example of an immediate health problem might be something as common as coming down with a cold, the flu, getting cavities, or something much more serious such as being diagnosed with high blood pressure, heart failure, breast or colon cancer

For example, in children a severe vitamin deficiency causes them to get the bowed legs, and sometimes arms, that are characteristic of the soft bone disease of rickets.

In adults, this severe form of low Vitamin D causes a disease called osteomalacia. Osteomalacia is similar to rickets, as it is a softening of the bones, but it doesn’t lead to bowed legs as it does in children. Instead, it leads to bone pain and muscle weakness that are so common and can be caused by so many other problems, that they are often overlooked by doctors or misdiagnosed as Early Symptoms of Fibromyalgia.

Low Level Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

Low level symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency are, as the name implies, more subtle and less intense and may include depression, mood swings, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, lowered immunity to illness and infection, dry skin and bones that break easily.

These symptoms may be attributed to other things and people often do not suspect a vitamin deficiency. Given the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, however, it is advisable for everyone to get checked for it.

Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms in Women

Vitamin D is very important for human body, regardless to age or sex, but it is crucial for women for many reasons – according to some sources.

It is suggested that vitamin D is very important when it comes to cancer prevention in women; the types of cancers we’re referring to are breast cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer and colon cancer.

Some of the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can be seen in women only, like mood changes during premenstrual syndrome. Other mood related symptoms are depressive behavior and/or seasonal affective disorders. These claims are not yet officially accepted as true, but they certainly make sense. Also, in menopausal women, symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can be closely related to osteoporosis. When it comes to pregnant women, we already know how important vitamin D is for the fetus.

Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms in Children

Vitamin D plays an incredibly important role when it comes to growth and development. That is why you should know about the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in children.

Some of the symptoms to be watchful for include: muscle cramps (in babies); low calcium levels in blood; difficulties in breathing and fragile bones (and skull) prone to fractures.

If you notice that your child’s development is too slow and there is no any significant progress in growth, this may be because the child doesn’t get enough vitamin D. Also if your child’s tooth are delaying and just won’t come out, the reason can also be related to vitamin D deficiency.

There were severe cases of vitamin D deficiency in children reported; in those cases, the heart problems occurred due to heart muscle weakness, which endangered the lives of these children. Such cases are rare, but keep in mind that your child must get the daily dose of vitamin D needed for his/her normal development.

Common Sense

Vitamin D is very important for proper cell growth, for controlling 10% of the genes in your body, strong teeth, bones, and for proper muscle functioning.As we discussed in Vitamin D and diseases … about 2/3rds of the health problems most people experience are caused by Vitamin D deficiency.

According to most of the studies I've read – you can pretty much assume your vitamin levels are less than optimum and so are those of most of the people you know.

I'm not going to try and tell you how to take care of yourself (or not), as that is one of the freedoms I think is the most precious we (should) have. It's up to you whether you want to continue you as you are … get tested for vitamin D deficiency .. wait until symptoms of vitamin D deficiency appear … or take action now. I'm just here to give you the information. The choice about what you'll do with it is up to you.

Personally – the idea of spending some relaxing time in the sun, and taking my vitamin D supplements (which luckily aren't very expensive) in order to protect me most of the major killer diseases … and about 2/3rd of the health problems – sounds pretty good to me. Admittedly when you get older – you think a bit more about your health … and what would happen if …?

Learn More About The Sunshine Vitamin

Vitamin D is important for good health and long-life. Here are some of the articles we've added to our website to give you a full picture of this important subject. Like other parts of this website, these articles summarize the important facts and include useful advice.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this section of our web site is for educational purposes and is not intended as medical advice.

While the publishers of this website believe that people have the right to understand their own bodies and to take care of their bodies as they see fit, we also respect the knowledge and experience of trained nutritionists, scientists, researchers, medical practioners, and others who can help you achieve the optimum health you are entitled to, and suggest you seek out and work with health specialists you can trust.